India have been fined for a slow over-rate for a third time in as many matches.
The latest penalty came after Wednesday's first ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park in New Zealand.
Last week, they were fined for slow over-rates during the fourth and fifth T20I against the New Zealanders in Wellington and Mount Maunganui, respectively.
Previously, they hadn't been fined for this infringement for six years – a span of 264 international fixtures.
“As per article 2.22 of the ICC code of conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 percent of their fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the stipulated time,” read a statement from the International Cricket Council.
“India captain Virat Kohli pleaded guilty to the charge – levelled by on-field umpires Shaun Haig and Langton Rusere, third umpire Bruce Oxenford, and fourth umpire Chris Brown – and accepted the sanction. There was no need for a formal hearing.”
The hosts won the match by four wickets on the back of a century from batsman Ross Taylor. New Zealand have an early lead in the three-match series. The home side and Indians will contest the second ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Bet365 have New Zealand and India priced at 2.50 and 1.53, respectively, to win the second ODI.
What Kohli said
“That was an outstanding performance by New Zealand. We thought 347 was good enough, especially after the start we got with the ball. I think Tom's innings took the game away from us. Ross was unstoppable in the middle overs,” said Kohli on Wednesday.
“We were decent in the field. We need to improve, though. I have to say that the opposition played better than us and deserved to win.”
Kohli was somewhat consoled by the young Shreyas Iyer's ton and middle-order batsman KL Rahul's 88 not out in defeat. Debutant ODI openers Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw, meanwhile, pleased the captain in the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
“Both new openers gave us a good start and I hope they continue to do the same. Shreyas' century was outstanding and KL was brilliant with the bat too,” he added.
